Printing system and printing method

ABSTRACT

A printing system includes a storage unit that associates and stores print job data and post processing job data; a printing unit that prints a code regarding the association on media when an image is printed on the media based on the print job data; a code reading unit that reads the code that is printed on the media; and a post processing unit that selects the post processing job data that is associated from the storage unit based on the read code and performs the post processing with respect to the media based on the selected post processing job data.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/360,598, filed Jan. 27, 2012, which patentapplication is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/360,598 claims the benefit of JapanesePatent Application No. 2011-021880 filed Feb. 3, 2011, the contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a printing system and a printingmethod.

2. Related Art

JP-A-2005-250624 discloses a printing system where an image is printedon paper based on print job data and a finishing process (a postprocessing) such as a stapling process or the like is performed withrespect to the paper that the image is printed. The printing system hasa configuration such that identifying data that prohibits the finishingprocess with respect to the banner page is inserted into print job dataand the finishing process is performed only on paper on which the imageaccording to an original image data is printed based on the identifyingdata.

However, as a post processing with respect to a printed material, otherthan the stapling process, there is a cutting process or the like thatcuts out an image that is printed. However, in the post processing andprinting, processing speed is different and for example, since theprinting takes time for drying or the like, generally, printing is onlyperformed temporarily, the printed material stored and then the postprocessing is performed.

However, in the above-described related art, when the printed materialis removed from a printer or the like after printing and is processedoffline, after that, is processed using a post processing machine, sinceunit for fastening the printed material (a print job) and a postprocessing job corresponding to the printed material is not present,there is a problem in that an operator may easily make a mistake suchthat the post processing job is erroneously designated in the postprocessing and make the printed material defective.

SUMMARY

An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that a printing systemand a printing method are provided where a post processing may beaccurately performed with respect to a printed material that isprocessed offline after printing.

In order to solve the above-described problem, according to an aspect ofthe invention, a printing system includes a storage unit that associatesand stores print job data and post processing job data; a printing unitthat prints a code regarding the association on media when an image isprinted on the media based on the print job data; a code reading unitthat reads the code that is printed on the media; and a post processingunit that selects the post processing job data that is associated fromthe storage unit based on the read code and performs the post processingwith respect to the media based on the selected post processing jobdata.

According to the employment of the above-described configuration, in theinvention, the print job data and the post processing job data areassociated and spooled in the storage unit and when the printing isperformed based on the print job data, the code regarding theassociation is also printed on the media. Since the code is printed onthe media after printing, even though the media is stored temporarily,the post processing job that coincides with the media (the print job)from the post processing job that is spooled in the storage unit may beselected and performed when the code is read.

It is preferable that the print job data include data regarding thenumber of images printed on the media, and the printing unit has a postprocessing job data generation unit that generates the post processingjob data according to the number of images printed on the media based onthe print job data.

According to the employment of the above-described configuration, in theinvention, the print job data includes data regarding the number ofimages to be printed on the media and even in a case where the number ofimages actually printed on the media by the printing unit does notsatisfy the number of images to be printed, since the post processingjob data is generated according to the number of images actuallyprinted, the post processing job corresponding to the practical printjob (the number of images) at the post processing unit may be performed.

It is preferable that the printing unit has a print job data generationunit that generates second print job data according to the number ofimages printed on the media based on the print job data.

According to the employment of the above-described configuration, in theinvention, even in a case where the number of images actually printed onthe media by the printing unit does not satisfy the number of images tobe printed, since the second print job data is generated according tothe number of images actually printed, the remainder of the print jobthat does not satisfy the number of the images to be printed may becompleted.

It is preferable that the printing unit print the code after the imageis printed on the media based on the print job data.

According to the employment of the above-described configuration, in theinvention, since the printing unit actually prints the code after theimage is printed on the media, the code may be printed according to theactual print situation and the association of the print job and the postprocessing job is exactly performed.

It is preferable that the printing unit prints on the media by aroll-to-roll manner.

According to the employment of the above-described configuration, in theinvention, when the code is printed after the image is printed withrespect to the media that is wound off from the wind off side roll bythe roll-to-roll manner, since the printed barcode is not positioned atthe center but at an outer periphery side in the wind out side roll thatis paired with the wind off side roll, the roll is wound off withoutbeing rewound and the code may be read before the printed image in thepost processing.

It is preferable that the storage unit store plural types of the printjob data that is printed on the same media.

According to the employment of the above-described configuration, in theinvention, even in a case where, the plural types of print jobs areperformed on the same media, since the code is printed for every printjob, the plural types of post processing jobs corresponding to theplural types of print jobs may be performed in the post processing unit.

According to another aspect of the invention, a printing method includesassociating and storing print job data and post processing job data in astorage unit; printing a code regarding the association on media when animage is printed on the media based on the print job data; reading thecode that is printed on the media; and selecting the post processing jobdata that is associated from the storage unit based on the read code andperforming the post processing with respect to the media based on theselected post processing job data.

According to the employment of the above-described method, in theinvention, the print job data and the post processing job data areassociated and spooled in the storage unit and when the printing isperformed based on the print job data, the code regarding theassociation is also printed on the media. Since the code is printed onthe media after printing, even though the media is stored temporarily,the post processing job that coincides with the media (the print job)from the post processing job that is spooled in the storage unit may beselected and performed when the code is read.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements.

FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a configuration of a printing system inan embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electric configuration of theprinting system in the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is an internal configuration drawing of a printer configuring theprinting system in the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic overall flowchart of when the printing in theembodiment of the invention is performed.

FIG. 5 is a schematic overall flowchart of when processing is performedafter the printing in the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a overall flowchart of the printing system in the embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart after step S17 of the printing system in theembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the print job of the printing system in theembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a cut job of the printing system in theembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating media where the printing process isperformed in the embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are drawings illustrating print data and cut data inthe embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a drawing illustrating data where print job data and cut jobdata are associated in the embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are drawings explaining a printing process and acutting process in the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a drawing illustrating second data where print job data andcut job data are associated in the embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are drawings explaining a printing process and acutting process in the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a drawing illustrating third data where print job data andcut job data are associated in the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 17 is a drawing explaining a printing process and a cutting processin another embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, description will be given regarding an embodiment of aprinting system and a printing method according to the invention withreference to drawings.

FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a configuration of a printing system 1in an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagramillustrating an electric configuration of the printing system 1 in theembodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 is an internal configuration drawingof a printer 2 configuring the printing system 1 in the embodiment ofthe invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 1 has the printer 2 and a hostcomputer 3. The printer 2 is an ink jet printer (a large format printer:LFP) that may continuously print an image while transporting media M ina roll-to-roll manner. In the embodiment, as the media M, cutting paperis exemplified, that may form a seal, label or the like by the cuttingprocess (post processing) according to a printed image after printing.

As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 2 includes a CPU 4 that performs maincontrol. A RAM 6, a ROM 7 and an HDD (a hard disk drive: a storage unit)8 are connected to the CPU 4 through a bus 5. In addition, a motor unit11 through a motor controller 10, a print head unit (a printing unit) 21through a head controller 20, and a cutter unit (a post processing unit)31 and a concentration sensor (a code reading unit) 32 are connected tothe bus 5 through a carriage controller 30.

A control program for controlling the printer 2, a control parameter fordriving the motor unit 11, a control parameter for driving the printhead unit 21, a control parameter for driving the cutter unit 31 and thelike are stored in the ROM 7. The HDD 8 associates and stores print jobdata that is to be printed on the media M, which is input at the hostcomputer 3 or received through a network (not shown) and cut job data(post processing job data). In addition, the HDD 8 may be provided atany one of the printer 2 and the host computer 3.

The motor unit 11 includes a spindle that holds a wind off side roll 12(see FIG. 1) winding off the media M and a spindle that holds a wind outside roll 13 winding up the media M after printing (neither are shown).The motor unit 11 has a configuration such that the spindles are drivento rotate and the media M is transported in the roll-to-roll mannerbased on a control command from the CPU 4.

As shown in FIG. 3, the print head unit 21 has an ink jet head 22ejecting ink with respect to the media M that is transported in theroll-to-roll manner. The ink jet head 22 includes a plurality of nozzlecolumns and has a configuration such that ink of a predetermined colors(for example, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K)) may beejected from each of nozzle columns respectively.

The ink jet head 22 is mounted on a carriage 33. The carriage 33 isconfigured to move freely along a guide shaft 34 extended in a widthdirection (a main scanning direction) of the media M. The ink jet head22 is synchronized with the transportation of the media M in atransportation direction (a sub-scanning direction) while moving in thewidth direction (the main scanning direction) of the media M by thecarriage 33 and ejects ink with respect to the media M. Accordingly, aprinting process that prints a predetermined image based on the printjob data is performed.

The cutter unit 31 has a cutter blade 35 that is mounted on the carriage33. The cutter blade 35 is held at a cutter holder 36. The cutter blade35 has a configuration such that a teeth edge thereof freely rotatesaround a shaft that is extended in a vertical direction with respect toa printing surface of the media M. In addition, the cutter holder 36includes an actuator (not shown) inside thereof and has a configurationsuch that the teeth edge of the cutter blade 35 freely moves between acontacting position where the teeth edge of the cutter blade 35 contactsthe printing surface of the media M and a non-contacting position wherethe teeth edge does not contact the printing surface of the media M.

The cutter holder 36 has a configuration such that the cutter blade 35is drawn up and the teeth edge is in a non-contacting state with respectto the printing surface of the media M when the print job is performedand the cutter blade 35 is descended and the teeth edge is in acontacting state with respect to the printing surface of the media Mwhen the cut job is performed.

When the cut job is performed, the cutter blade 35 performs a cuttingprocess that cuts out the image that is printed by moving the media M inthe width direction (the main scanning direction), transporting themedia M in the transportation direction (the sub-scanning direction)according to the carriage 33, and the direction of the teeth edge basedon the cut job data.

The concentration sensor 32 is mounted on the carriage 33. Theconcentration sensor 32 has a configuration such that light is projectedtoward the media M and a reflected light amount that is reflected at theprinting surface is measured so that a concentration density at theprinting surface is detected. The concentration sensor 32 has aconfiguration such that the concentration density is detected at theprinting surface so as to read a crop mark (a cut position referencemark) 51 that is printed with an image G shown in FIG. 10 as describedbelow, and a barcode (a code) 50 that is printed with the image G.

A rear end detection sensor (a rear end detection unit) 37 is providedfurther upstream (rear side of the paper in FIG. 3) than the ink jethead 22 in the transportation direction of the media M. As the rear enddetection sensor 37, various types of sensors may be used for detectingthe rear end of the media M optically by light reflection or the like,or physically by contact. The rear end detection sensor 37 has aconfiguration such that the rear end of the media M is detected so thatcutting of the paper may be detected before the rear end thereof arrivesat the ink jet head 22.

Next description will be given regarding an operation (the printingmethod) of the printing system 1 having the above-describedconfiguration using the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 to 9.

FIG. 4 is a schematic overall flowchart of when the printing in theembodiment of the invention is performed.

When the printing is performed, first of all, the print job data and thecut job data are output to the printer 2 from the host computer 3 (stepS1). Next, the printer 2 (the print head unit 21) performs the print jobbased on the print job data (step S2). As shown in FIG. 10, the media Mwhere the plurality of images G that is formed of letters and figures iscontinuously printed by the printing is wound out as the wind out sideroll 13 (see FIG. 1). The printed material (the media M of the wind outside roll 13) after printing is removed from the printer 2 and is storedat a predetermined place (step S3).

FIG. 5 is a schematic overall flowchart when processing is performedafter the printing in the embodiment of the invention.

When the processing of the printed material (cutting process) isperformed, first of all, the printed material that is stored is set tothe printer 2 at the wind out side roll 12 (step S4). Next, the printer2 (the cutter unit 31) performs the cut job based on the cut job data(step S5). The cut job data includes cutting data 41 that is to be cutout along a frame of the image G shown in FIG. 11B corresponding to theprint data 40 shown in FIG. 11A. The product after processing (the mediaM of the wind out side roll 13) is removed from the printer 2 and isstored in a place different from the printed material (step S6).

FIG. 6 is a schematic overall flowchart of the printer 2 in theembodiment of the invention.

When the power supply is turned ON, the printer 2 performs aninitializing setting (step S10). In the initializing process,initialization of the memory, loading of the program and initializingsetting of each configuration apparatus are performed. Next, it isdetermined whether or not the media M as the cutting paper is completelyattached at the printer 2 (step S11). When the media M is not completelyattached, operation and input standby is performed (step S12).Meanwhile, when the media M is completely attached, paper set-up isperformed (step S17).

When the routine shifts to step S12, the flow is branched according tothe type of input regarding a command reception, panel operation andpaper set operation (step S13). When the command is received, thecommand and the data are received (step S14). When the panel isoperated, panel operation is performed (step S16). When paper set isoperated, the paper set is performed (step S17). After a predeterminedprocess is performed according to the type of input, the routine returnsto step S12 and operation/input standby are performed again.

When the command and the data are received, and the routine shifts tostep S14, the print job data and the cut job data that are included inthe received data are associated with each other and stored in the HDD 8(step S15: storing process). As shown in FIG. 12, the HDD 8 stores datathat relates to the print job data and the cut job data. The dataincludes a job ID for identifying and selecting the related job data ina plurality of sets of job data that is spooled in the HDD 8. Forexample, the job ID is configured of a serial number (letters andnumerals) that receives the job and a copy number (hyphens and numerals)of the job, and the copy number is 0 in the received data. In addition,the data includes an X size (a size in the main scanning direction) anda Y size (a size in the sub-scanning direction) of the image G, the dataincludes the number in X direction (the main scanning direction) and thenumber in Y direction (the sub-scanning direction) of the image G thatprints with respect to the media M, the type and thickness of the mediaM, and the print data and cutting data or the like.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart after step S17 of the printing system 1 in theembodiment of the invention.

When the routine shifts to the practice of the paper set, first of all,a leading head of the media M that is wound out from the wind out sideroll 12 is scanned by the concentration sensor 32 (step S170).Accordingly, it is determined whether or not the barcode 50 (see FIG.10) as the ID marker is present (step S171). When the barcode 50 ispresent, the media M that is set is determined as the printed materialthat is completely printed and the routine shifts to step S172. Afterthat, the routine shifts to the practice of the cut job (step S5).Meanwhile, when the barcode 50 is not present, the media M that is setis determined as new one and the routine shifts to the practice of theprint job (step S2).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the print job of the printing system 1 in theembodiment of the invention.

When the routine shifts to the practice of the print job, first of all,taking out of the print job is performed (step S200). Specifically, itis determined whether or not the print job data is present in the HDD 8(step S201). When the print job is not present, an error message such as“the print job of the object is not present” is displayed at the displayor the like that is connected to for example, the host computer 3 (stepS202) and the print job is finished.

Meanwhile, when the print job data is stored in the HDD 8, it isdetermined whether or not the media M that is set and media condition(for example, the paper type and the paper thickness shown in FIG. 12)that is included in the print job data that is removed coincide witheach other (step S203). When the media condition does not coincide withthe media, the routine returns to step S200 and the print job data whichcoincides with the media condition is searched. Meanwhile, when themedia condition coincides with the media, the routine shifts to stepS204 and the printing is performed based on the print job data that isremoved.

First of all, in step S204, duplication of the print data 40 in the Xdirection is performed based on the print job data. Here, the print data40 is duplicated three times in the X direction. Next, the printing isperformed as one set in the X direction based on the duplicated printdata 40 (step S205). Next, it is determined whether or not PE (PaperEnd) is detected when the media M for printing of the next set istransported in Y direction (step S206: a rear end detection process).The rear end detection sensor 37 that is provided further upstream inthe transportation direction than the ink jet head 22 performs the PEdetection.

When the PE is not detected, it is determined whether or not the numberof images in the Y direction reaches the number of images (100 sets inthe embodiment) of the print job data to print in the Y direction (stepS207). When the number of images in the Y direction does not reach apredetermined number of images, the routine returns to step S205 and theprinting is performed. Meanwhile, when the number of images in the Ydirection reaches a predetermined number of images, after the printingof the image G is finished, the barcode 50 is printed as the ID marker(step S208: printing process) and the print job is finished as shown inFIG. 10. The barcode 50 has a job ID shown in FIG. 12.

Returning to FIG. 7, when the printed material is set again to theprinter 2 to perform the cut job after the printed material is stored,it is determined if the ID marker is present in step S171. In addition,in the print job of the embodiment, when the barcode 50 is printed afterprinting is performed with respect to the media M that is wound out fromthe wind out side roll 12 in the roll-to-roll manner, since the printedbarcode 50 is not positioned at the center but at the outer peripheryside in the wind out side roll 13 that is paired with the wind out sideroll 12, in the cut job. The media M is set to the wind out side roll 12of the printer 2 as it is and the leading head thereof is wound outwithout rewinding so that the barcode 50 that is ahead of the printedimage G may be read from the concentration sensor 32 (step S172: a codereading process).

Next, job data spooled in the HDD 8 is searched based on the job ID thatis read from the barcode 50 (step S173) and it is determined whether ornot the cut job that coincides with the printed material (print job) ispresent (step S174). As a result of the search, when the cut job datathat coincides with the job ID is not present, the printed material thatis set is determined as a mistake and the information thereof isdisplayed as an error message (step S175) and the routine is finished.Meanwhile, as a result of the search, when the cut job data (see FIG.12) that coincides with the job ID is present, the routine shifts toperform the cut job based on the cut job data (step S5: the postprocessing). In other words, the operator is not aware of the postprocessing job and may simply set the printed material to the printer 2.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the cut job of the printing system 1 in theembodiment of the invention.

When the routine shifts to perform the cut job, first of all, taking outof the cut job from the HDD 8 is performed (step S500). Next, 180°rotation of the cutting data 41 is performed (step S501). In theembodiment, from the viewpoint of the workability at the cut job,without rewinding the printed material and the printed material is setto the wind out side roll 12 of the printer 2 as it is. Accordingly, thebarcode 50 shown in FIG. 10 is wound out as the leading head so that theimage G becomes the reverse direction.

Next, a start position of the cut is detected (step S502). In theembodiment, the crop mark 51 that is printed with the image G is read bythe concentration sensor 32 and success or failure of the detection ofthe cut position is determined (step S503). When the detection of thecut position fails, the error message of the detection of the cutposition is displayed (step S504) and the routine is finished.Meanwhile, when the detection of the cut position is succeeded, theroutine shifts to step S505.

In step S505, calculation of the start position of the cut is calculatedfrom the detected crop mark 51. Next, cutting is performed based on thecalculation (step S506). The cutter blade 35 moves along the frame ofthe image G according to the practice of the cutting and the image G iscut out. Next, it is determined whether or not the number of cuts in Xdirection reaches a predetermined number of cuts of the cut job data(three cuts in the embodiment) (step S507). When the number of cuts inthe X direction does not reach the predetermined number of cuts, theroutine returns to step S502 and cutting is performed. Meanwhile, whenthe number of cuts in the X direction reaches the predetermined numberof cuts, the routine shifts to step S508.

In step S508, it is determined whether or not the number of cuts in theY direction reaches a predetermined number of cuts of the cut job data(100 sets in the embodiment). When the number of cuts in the Y directiondoes not reach the predetermined number of cuts, the routine returns tostep S502 and cutting is performed after the media M for cutting of thenext set is transported in the Y direction. Meanwhile, when the numberof cuts in the Y direction reaches the predetermined number of cuts, thecut job is completed and the routine is finished.

Returning to FIG. 8, next, description will be given regarding a flow ofa case where the print job may not be completed.

When the PE is detected during the print job (when the paper cuttingoccurs (see, FIG. 13A)), the CPU (the control unit) 4 suspends theprinting at the printer 2 and the routine shifts to step S209 (a controlprocess). First of all, in step S209, the CPU (post processing job datageneration unit) 4 generates the post processing job data (see FIG. 14)according to the number (for example, the number in Y direction: 70sets) of images G that is printed on the media M by the printer 2 (thepost processing job data generation process).

Specifically, the CPU 4 duplicates the data shown in FIG. 12 and updatesthe last number of the job ID to 1 from 0. In addition, the data shownin FIG. 14 where the number in the Y direction is corrected to 70 from100 is generated and is stored in the HDD 8. Accordingly, when thenumber of images actually printed with respect to the media M by theprinter 2 does not satisfy the number (the number in Y direction: 100sets) of images to be printed, the post processing job data is generatedaccording to the number (the number in Y direction: 70 sets) of imagesthat is actually printed (step S209).

Next, as shown in FIG. 13A, a barcode 50 a having the generated job IDis printed (step S210). In the embodiment, since the rear end detectionsensor 37 detects the rear end of the media M further upstream than theink jet head 22 in the transportation direction, finishing of theprinting with respect to the current media M may be detected with enoughdistance. In addition, a printing area to print the barcode 50 a may besecured after the image G is printed.

After the printed material is stored, when the printed material sets atthe printer 2 that performs the cut job, the cut job data (see FIG. 14)that coincides with the printed material may be selected from the jobdata that is spooled in the HDD 8 based on the job ID that is read fromthe barcode 50 a (step S173). Accordingly, in the cut job, as shown inFIG. 13B, the number (70 sets) of the cuts in the Y direction isperformed according to the number of images (the number in Y direction:70 sets) that are printed on the printed material. Thus, even though thenumber of images actually printed with respect to the media M by theprinter 2 does not satisfy the number of images to be printed, the postprocessing job data is generated according to the number of imagesactually printed. In addition, in the post processing, since the postprocessing job corresponding to the practical print job (the number ofimages) is performed, the printed material may not be a defectiveproduct.

Next, the CPU (the print job data generation unit) 4 completes theremainder of the print job that does not satisfy the number of images tobe printed. A second print job data (see FIG. 16) is generated accordingto the number (the number in Y direction: 70 sets) of images G that areprinted on the media M by the printer 2 (the print job data generationprocess). Specifically, the CPU 4 calculates the remaining number ofprinting times (the number in the Y direction: 30 sets) based on thenumber of images (the number in Y direction: 100 sets) that are to beprinted and the number of images (the number in Y direction: 70 sets)that are actually printed (step S211). In addition, the CPU 4 duplicatesthe data shown in FIG. 12, and updates the last number of the job ID to2 from 0. The data that is shown in FIG. 16, where the number in the Ydirection is corrected to 30 from 100 is generated and stored in the HDD8 (step S212).

Next, standby of a new set of media M is performed (step S213). Here,the information in which the media M that cuts the paper is removed andthe information in which new media M is set is displayed for example, onthe display or the like that is connected to the host computer 3. Next,it is determined whether or not the new set of the media M is completed(step S214). When the set is not completed, the routine returns to stepS213 and the set standby is performed. Meanwhile, when the set iscompleted, the routine returns to step S205 and the suspended printingrestarts. Here, the printing restarts based on the newly generatedsecond print job data. Specifically, the printing is performed until thenumber of images in the Y direction reaches the number of images (30sets in the embodiment) that is to be printed in the Y direction of thesecond print job data. When the number of images in the Y directionreaches the predetermined number of images, as shown in FIG. 15A, abarcode 50 b as the ID marker is printed (step S208: printing process)after the printing of the image G is finished and the print job isfinished. The barcode 50 b has the job ID shown in FIG. 16.

After the printed material is stored, when the printed material resetsat the printer 2 that performs the cut job, the cut job data (see FIG.16) that coincides with the printed material may be selected from thejob data that is spooled in the HDD 8 based on the job ID read from thebarcode 50 b (step S173). Accordingly, in the cut job, as shown in FIG.15B, the number (30 sets) of cuts in the Y direction is performedaccording to the number of images (the number in Y direction: 30 sets)that are printed on the printed material. Thus, even though the numberof images actually printed with respect to the media M by the printer 2does not satisfy the number of images to be printed, and the remainderof the print job which is not satisfied to the number of images to beprinted may be completed. In addition, even though the print job extendsover a plurality of media M with a massive number of images, the numberof images actually printed with respect to one media M is reliably readby the job ID so that the post processing job corresponding to the printjob (the number of images) may be performed in the post processing andthe printed material may not be a defective product.

According to the above-described embodiment, the embodiment employs theprinting system 1 that has the HDD 8 that associates and stores theprint job data and the post processing job data; the print head unit 21that prints the barcode 50 regarding the association on the media M whenthe image is printed on the media M based on the print job data; theconcentration sensor 32 that reads the barcode 50 printed on the mediaM; and the cutter unit 31 that selects the post processing job dataassociated from the HDD 8 based on the barcode 50 that is read andperforms the post processing with respect to the media M based on theselected post processing job data. Thus, the print job data and the postprocessing job data are associated and may be spooled in the HDD 8. Inaddition, when printing is performed based on the print job data, thebarcode 50 regarding the association is also printed on the media M.Since the barcode 50 is printed on the media M after printing, eventhough the media M is temporarily stored, the post processing job thatcoincides with the media M (the print job) from the post processingspooled in the HDD 8 may be selected and performed when the barcode 50is read.

Accordingly, in the embodiment, the post processing may be exactlyperformed with respect to the printed material that is processedoff-line after printing.

Hereinabove, preferred embodiments of the invention have been describedwith reference to the drawings; however, the invention is not limited tothe embodiments. The general shape, assembly or the like of eachconfiguration member illustrated in the above-described embodiments isan example, and various changes may be performed based on designrequirements within a range that does not depart from the gist of theinvention.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, description was givenregarding the embodiment where one print job is performed with respectto one media M; however, the invention is not limited to the embodiment.For example, plural types of print job data that prints on the samemedia M is stored in the HDD 8 and as shown in FIG. 17, the embodimentwhere plural types of print job is performed on the same media M may beemployed. Further in this case, the barcodes 50 c, 50 d and 50 e areprinted in every print job so that it may be known beforehand how manycuts is desirable in the post processing when the corresponding numberof images is included in the data that is related by each job ID.Furthermore, since the cut job may be changed in one roll, it is notnecessary that the media M be divided in every print job.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the cutting process asthe post processing is exemplified; however, the invention is notlimited to the embodiment. For example, the same as in theabove-described embodiment, the post processing such as an overlapprinting process that prints using other ink as the post processing, alaminate process, a folding process, a sheet biasing process, embossingprocess or the like may also response the automation.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, roll-shaped cuttingpaper as the media M is exemplified; however, the invention is notlimited to the embodiment. For example, the media M may be a zigzagshape, or the media M may be a simple rectangular sheet shape. In thecase of such shapes, the barcode 50 may be printed at the leading head.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the description is givenas the example of the printer 2; however, the invention is not limitedto a printer and apparatus such as a copy machine, facsimile or the likemay be used.

In addition, as an embodiment of the printing unit, a configuration thatejects or discharges liquid other than ink may be employed. Theinvention may be used in various types of liquid ejecting apparatusthat, for example, has a liquid ejecting head or the like dischargingliquid droplets of a micro quantity. In addition, the liquid droplet maybe in a liquid state that is discharged from the liquid ejectingapparatus and also includes droplets of which the tail is traced in agranule shape, a flow shape and a thread shape. In addition, the liquidthat is referred to here may be a material that may be ejected from theliquid ejecting apparatus. For example, material may be in a liquidstate. The liquid phase material of which viscosity is high or low, sol,gel water, and other flow states such as inorganic solvents, organicsolvents, solutions, liquid phase resin and liquid phase metals (metalmelt) may be used. In addition, the material also includes not onlyliquid as an embodiment of material but also particles of functionalmaterial that is configured of solid materials such as pigment, metalparticles or the like that are dissolved, dispersed or mixed into asolvent. In addition, as described above in the embodiment,representative example of liquid is ink. Here, ink includes varioustypes of liquid compositions such as general water-based ink, oil-basedink, gel ink, hot-melt ink, UV-curing ink or the like.

What is claimed is:
 1. A printing system comprising: a printercomprising: a printing unit that prints on media an image based on printjob data and, after printing the image, prints on the media a coderegarding the association between the print job data and post processingjob data, the image based on the print job data and the code beingprinted on the same media and being different from one another; a codereading unit that moves with the printing unit during printing of thecode, the code reading unit reads the code that is printed on the media,the printing unit does not print the image or the code when the codereading unit reads the code; and a post processing unit that selects thepost processing job data based on the read code and performs the postprocessing with respect to the media based on the selected postprocessing job data.
 2. The printing system according to claim 1,wherein the print job data includes data regarding the number of imagesprinted on the media, and the printing unit has a post processing jobdata generation unit that generates the post processing job dataaccording to the number of the images printed on the media based on theprint job data.
 3. The printing system according to claim 2, wherein theprinting unit has a print job data generation unit that generates secondprint job data according to the number of the images printed on themedia based on the print job data.
 4. The printing system according toclaim 1, wherein the printing unit prints on the media by a roll-to-rollmanner.